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Diedra Drake
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Cursed by Furies: A Tale of Vikings, Elves and Gods (The Cursed Elves Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Diedra Drake (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 127 ratings

2021 Firebird Book Award winner. Start the series that brings a complex web of real-world mythology into modern times!

1000 years ago the Elves nearly destroyed their species through war. As punishment, their ancestors cursed them and trapped them on the Earthly plane.

Priscilla Forester is a 500-year-old Cursed Elf, with abilities far different from most. She knows there is some secret about her origins, but has given up thinking she will ever discover the truth.

However, Fate was only waiting for the right moment to reveal its secrets. As Priscilla and her lovers battle against warring Elf Houses, her true nature begins to emerge, and it is more than anyone had bargained for.

The books in this series are intended to be read in order.

Content warning: This book contains adult situations.

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  1. Book 1 of 6
    The Cursed Elves
  2. Print length
    502 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    September 3, 2019
  5. File size
    1.1 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 6 books in this series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you like twists and turns and Machiavellian scheming mixed with mythology, this is the book for you." - Eileen Hammond, Author of the Merry March mystery series.

"I loved her ability to keep me guessing, catching me off-guard, and show complex relationships born of love, lust, violence, instinct, and even survival." - Myron Clifton, Fiction Author

"An interesting and new take on the vampire myth that incorporates the legends of different cultures." - Emma Miles, Fantasy Author

"There are so many well thought out ideas revolving around the history of the elves and their evolution that I was immediately drawn into the stories created by the author." - Jacob Klop, Fiction Author

"If you like paranormal books with a dash of heat, this one is for you." - D.K. Marie, Romance Author

About the Author

Diedra Drake is a life-long student of mythology and history, with a particular interest in the ways that different cultures tell the same stories using name variations. She is competent in classical Latin, and enjoys reading the classics - particularly Homer, Plutarch, and Shakespeare.

For relaxation, Diedra loves to crack open a new historical romance novel or binge a new series on streaming. After a couple of decades being a business owner in the technology industry, she decided to explore her other interests through the creation of a mythic fantasy romance world.

She lives in Central Texas with her family, which includes a small cat colony and a couple of dogs, and tries to ensure she gets a daily serving of ice cream for continual inspiration.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07WD29D3P
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Apache Creek Publishing; 1st edition (September 3, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 3, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 502 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 127 ratings

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Diedra Drake

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Diedra Drake is a life-long student of mythology and history, with a particular interest in the ways that different cultures tell the same stories using name variations. She is competent in classical Latin, and enjoys reading the classics – particularly Homer, Plutarch, and Shakespeare.

For relaxation, Diedra loves to crack open a new historical romance novel or binge a new series on streaming. After a couple of decades being a business owner in the technology industry, she decided to explore her other interests through the creation of a mythic fantasy romance world.

She lives in Central Texas with her family, which includes a small cat colony and a couple of dogs, and tries to ensure she gets a daily serving of ice cream for continual inspiration.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
127 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's characters great and appreciate its complex storyline, with one customer noting how the heroine meets all challenges great and small.

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5 customers mention "Character development"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with one mentioning that the heroine meets all challenges great and small.

"...This story is complex and fascinating, with a lot of interesting characters and beautiful dialogue that feels real...." Read more

"...Now for the boring parts of every review. The characters are great and well developed...." Read more

"The heroine meets all challenges great and small. She has a troop of friends/ lovers that constantly advise her and support her. She's a special Elf...." Read more

"...I love how real the characters are although i will admit the open relationships among the elves really confused me...." Read more

4 customers mention "Storyline"4 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the complex storyline of the book, with one mentioning how the unique histories and extending mythology immediately captured their curiosity.

"...by Fairies because Diedra merged fantasy, folklore, and mythology in a unique way that refreshes multiple genres that absolutely needed refreshing...." Read more

"...This story is complex and fascinating, with a lot of interesting characters and beautiful dialogue that feels real...." Read more

"...Okay, if that doesn't get you, the plot twists are insane. Characters that your sure are traitors turn out to be allies and good guys...." Read more

"Great storyline with a surprisingly convoluted plot... super work making unusual lifestyles so completely normative and obviously rational...I want..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Myron Clifton
    5.0 out of 5 stars Strong start, intense story, strong characters, with just enough magic and romance.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Diedra Drake created a world that is realistic, charming, scary, and one that I anxiously await a return to. I enjoyed Cursed by Fairies because Diedra merged fantasy, folklore, and mythology in a unique way that refreshes multiple genres that absolutely needed refreshing. Her approach to genre-bending and extending mythology immediately captured my curiosity and held it as I delved into chapter after chapter. I only paused to consider the creative genius it took to blend seemingly disconnected genres into a seamless story set within a modern and troubled world of cursed fairies faced with a loss of who and what they are.

    I was intrigued most by the idea of how fairies were cursed and what that curse meant to their future. In fact, if there's one small ask I have it would be more backstory that shares more of the "Why" for the curse. It is explained very well I should say, and my ask may be selfish in that I loved the backstory so much I simply wanted more of the story behind such a harsh curse that lead to consequences and perhaps unintended consequences. But perhaps more of the backstory will be shared in future volumes.

    Diedra's seques from quaint if intense conversations to brutal violence or love-making - or both! Kept me off guard, uncertain of character motivations, and questioning everyone's intentions. I loved her ability to keep me guessing, catching me off-guard, and her ability to show complex relationships born of love, lust, violence, instinct, and even survival. It should also be noted that Diedra expertly addresses consent in many forms and effortlessly weaves it into conversations in a way that feels real and adult without pandering or dumbing down. That she thought of consent when writing about multiple powerful beings is welcome, needed, and appreciated.

    I suspect the world-building -which is good - will be even better in upcoming volumes as we follow the building conflicts as sides are taken for what is coming. And on that note, I am not certain of what outcome I want and am hoping for. I am not in love with any side or even any protagonist and, to me at least, I welcome the ambiguity she has presented - whether intentional or not - as I feel valued as a reader being allowed to decide for myself.

    I am familiar with fantasy novels even though I have taken a five year break from the genre. I was hesitant to dive back in until coming across this book. I was intrigued by the melding of multiple genre and, frankly, I was excited to read the genre as written by a woman who I hoped would be original and surprise me with new and unique histories, characters, and ideas. Diedra's Furies has so far met or exceeded all my expectations and soothed my apprehension so that I am again a fan of the genre and a fan of hers.
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  • Nick Starling
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique, Sexy, and Fun
    Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Cursed By Furies: A Tale of Vikings, Elves, and Gods by Diedra Drake was a unique spin on the idea of vampires that kept me turning pages until the very end!

    The story revolves around Priscilla and her fellow Elves. Cursed a millennium ago by the furies and Aphrodite, Elves have been forced to feast on blood and never walk in the sun (what we would call vampires). As generations passed, Elves have procreated with humans, diluting their blood. Half-Elves must undergo a ritual of a blood infusion from a full Elf to claim their heritage and join their house. We see this early on when Priscilla saves the life of a dying half-elf and brings him into his life as a full Elf.

    This story is complex and fascinating, with a lot of interesting characters and beautiful dialogue that feels real. I would have loved to have seen development on some of the characters, simply because they were so captivating and I wanted to know more about them and their journeys, since they evolved through the book and I wanted more on WHY. But, I must say, the erotic scenes were some of the best paranormal sex scenes I’ve ever read. They were graphic and steamy without being trashy, which is a fine line to walk, and Drake did a phenomenal job.

    The underlying theme of learning to accept yourself, despite things others might find unpalatable was so well executed. Priscilla, who has an inner Banshee that can come out in times of distress, often feels disconnected from those around her because of this strange and terrifying power. It is not helped by one of her lovers (the characters in the book embrace polyamory as normal and encouraged) who makes it clear he doesn’t care for that side of her.

    With tensions between the Elf houses building to another feud just as several Elves attempt to appeal to the Gods to remove parts of the curse, Priscilla and her loved ones must uncover the treachery that plagues them and all Elves. They will need to learn to rely on themselves and each other, and to look past those things that might drive them apart. Drake is an author worth following, and I will definitely be picking up book two to see what happens with these characters next!
    One person found this helpful
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  • Michael D Kanner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beginning of a great new series
    Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Drake's world of Vikings, Elves and Gods is world-building at its finest. Even when I like the author, I get upset when their world does not hold to its logic. That is not true here. It all makes sense, and you find yourself saying to yourself, "Well, yeah, of course." Without giving anything away, she beautifully blends threads that include -
    1. Elves are warrior demi-gods;
    2. Vampires are their creation and servants;
    3. Greek Gods still exist and affect the world;
    4. Vikings and banshees!

    On top of that, you have great battle sequences and sex that results in great releases of energy. Is there anything else that you could want in a fantasy novel.

    Okay, if that doesn't get you, the plot twists are insane. Characters that your sure are traitors turn out to be allies and good guys. Traitors and villains come from the least expected quarters. My only criticism relates to this. I would have liked more long term villains, But I love a good conspiracy.

    Now for the boring parts of every review. The characters are great and well developed. While their actions may are questionable, their explanations for what they did is in line with their nature (skirting plot points here). Dialogue is tight and reflects the way the character's background. If they are a few hundred years old, they don't approach the language as those turned more recently.

    Bottom Line for a great fan of fantasy novels - This is another series that I will be following and have already tweeted the author about when the next book in the series will be released. If you like strong females, blood and sex (sometimes at the same time) then you need to buy and get hooked.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • fincowe
    5.0 out of 5 stars Totally Captivating
    Reviewed in Australia on August 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed every page in this story. The characters are wonderful, the plot is incredible. The whole thing is well written, with brilliant surprises along the way.💜
    Report
  • katheyer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Urban Mythological Fantasy at its best!
    Reviewed in Germany on February 26, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    „Cursed by Furies“ by Diedra Drake is the first installment in the brand new “Cursed Elves Series”. The main character, Priscilla, is an old elf, suffering the curse of the Furies (yes! “the three” furies, but still has a lot to discover about herself, the very idea of cursed fairies is unique and a welcome breath of fresh air in book-wold inhabited by arrogant fairy folk with limitless power. Drake’s fairies are as true to mythology as you might expect, but at the same time they are complex characters, with own motivations and expectations driven by their instincts and desires. While Priscilla has to deal with the consequences of the old curse, she behaves in no way like a victim, but on the contrary she embodies one of the most powerful female heroines in urban (mythological or not) fantasy, in a subtle but positive way.

    This is urban mythological fantasy as its best, I possible coined a new term, this story deserves a new definition anyway, combining elves and Vikings is a fairly easy task, adding Greek gods and vampires to the mix in an organic way not so much. Diedra Drake excels at it! The book is very good written, easy to read, with full developed characters and unexpected twists, while remaining absolutely credible. I cannot wait to read how the story develops throughout the series.

    I usually do not comment on book covers, as I am a firm believer in the old saying “do not judge a book by its cover”, this time however I have to make an exception, as this cover is really unique, not only conveys a feeling for the story, but also shows how Deirdre Drake carefully execution of the series extend beyond the mere narrative.
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  • smiffy47
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book, could not put down. So much going on but still easy to keep with the story, have just bought book two but know this will a set of books that I re-read
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  • Athani Cooper
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Good Read
    Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Definitely worth reading. I'm looking forward to book two in the series. Easily lost myself in the book. A worth adding to the top of your TBR list.
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  • sandra willis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good Read
    Reviewed in Australia on July 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The characters are created well each new one that enters you form a connection with.
    The magic, the emotion how creative and to bring myths together is a genuine thought.
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